Renewable Power Perspectives Q&A with Kristal Hansley, Founder & CEO of WeSolar, Inc.

By Constance ThompsonAugust 27, 2021
The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is pleased to share the very first installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series. Each installation will feature industry leaders and subjects connected to accelerating an equitable and just shift to an eco-friendly energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Black Business Month, our August blog is the very first in a series highlighting how black-owned member companies are growing in the renewable resource sector.
Kristal Hansley is the Founder & & CEO of WeSolar, Inc and is the nations very first Black Woman CEO in the community solar industry. Under her management, WeSolar is growing quickly, supplying consumers throughout Maryland and the District of Columbia access to cost effective solar power, no matter house type, and helping hard-working households minimize monthly expenses.
What inspired you to start your company?
I was at a community conference with 50 Black females organizers who were not invested in the neighborhood solar movement. 36% of Black homes experience a high energy concern, implying they spend over 6% of their earnings on home energy costs. To be able to provide an item that will save our community up to 60% on their energy expenses is transformative.
Inform us about your company?
WeSolars mission is to bring under-resourced neighborhoods budget-friendly access to regional neighborhood solar and to assist commercial homes with energy effectiveness. In Maryland, lawmakers passed legislation that specifies 50 percent of its electrical power should come from sustainable energy sources by 2030.
What obstacles do you face? Why?
To a community that is currently facing a lot of pushing difficulties, convincing them that there is another one simply as important is very tough. I remember trying to describe neighborhood solar to my buddies and the conversation quickly rotating to housing. The reality of the matter is, institutional bigotry and oppression is bigger than we know and it drowns our community. Where Black individuals are not being invested in, we are being asked to focus on continuously for our survival.
Please show us a current company success story.
When I first moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was introduced, and I desired to guarantee city locals were getting the same quantity of investment as the county. Sustainable energy has actually traditionally been a middle-class issue since Black communities have actually had to live in survival mode, however Reverend Mason and Reverend Dewitt brought me into the circle and connected me with the individuals I needed to link with in order to make this partnership effective.
To get more information about WeSolar go to wesolar.energy
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I was at a community meeting with 50 Black ladies organizers who were not invested in the neighborhood solar motion. To be able to provide an item that will save our community up to 60% on their energy bills is transformative.
WeSolars mission is to bring under-resourced communities budget friendly access to regional community solar and to assist business residential or commercial properties with energy efficiency. When I first moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was launched, and I wanted to ensure city homeowners were getting the same quantity of financial investment as the county. Eco-friendly energy has traditionally been a middle-class concern because Black neighborhoods have had to live in survival mode, but Reverend Mason and Reverend Dewitt brought me into the circle and connected me with the individuals I required to connect with in order to make this collaboration effective.